Trading Standards - Scam Websites Advertising Football Strips

1st May 2026

As the World Cup approaches, there have been reports of scam websites advertising international football strips at a reduced price.

Several consumers who have paid for strips but not received them tried to get in touch with the companies, but found that the contact details listed on the websites were fake.

Over the next few months there is likely to be a huge increase in social media and online adverts which offer Scotland strips and merchandise at cheap prices. The aim of these is to encourage consumers to click through to a scam website, where they will be asked to enter their contact and bank details to purchase a product that is usually non-existent.

Below are some general tips for shopping safely online and information about your consumer rights and what to do if something goes wrong with a purchase:

Shop Safely Online
Be wary when buying products from unknown websites or sellers, particularly if they are advertised at a price that is significantly cheaper than on official websites.

Pay by credit card or a secure online payment system for stronger protection. Be suspicious if a seller will only accept payment via bank transfer.

Check independent reviews of the seller/store on official websites rather than relying on reviews hosted on the website itself.

Make sure you have contact information for the seller in case something goes wrong. The website should list a valid return address and contact details - be suspicious if a UK website has a returns address overseas and check that the address is listed with Companies House.

Check the site’s return policy and terms and conditions. If buying via an online marketplace, check the site’s advice section to find out what to do if items are faulty or not delivered.

Your consumer rights are generally the same whether you’re shopping on the high street or online. When shopping online, you also have the right to a 14-day cooling off period for most purchases.

Protect your accounts - set up 2-step verification and use three random words passwords to prevent cyber criminals from gaining access to your shopping, bank or email accounts. 

Know Your Rights
Citizens Advice has shared the following tips to help consumers know their rights if something has gone wrong with an item they have purchased online:

Return Faulty Goods
You’ll have legal rights if the item you bought is:
broken or damaged
unusable
not what was advertised or doesn’t match the seller’s description
You won’t have any legal rights if either:
it was damaged by wear and tear, an accident or misuse
you knew about the fault before you bought the item
If there's nothing wrong with the item but you've changed your mind, you might be able to return it if you act quickly. Find out more about your rights if you change your mind about a purchase here.

If Something You Ordered Hasn't Arrived
If you bought something from a business to be delivered, it’s the seller’s responsibility to make sure the item is delivered to you.

If the seller used a courier, they should chase the courier to find out what’s happened to your order - it’s not your responsibility.

Check the delivery address you gave the seller. Then contact them and ask where your order is.

If the seller claims they've delivered it or don't know where it is, you can ask for a redelivery. You might be able to get a refund in some circumstances.

Under the Consumer Rights Act, you can ask the seller to deliver the item again if the item wasn’t delivered either:
by an agreed date
within a reasonable time - usually within 30 days
Find out more and view a template letter to use if you want to write to a seller here.

If anything goes wrong with a trader or company you are dealing with or if you regret a decision you made to purchase goods or services, you can contact consumeradvice.scot for free advice and information.

They also offer a dedicated scam reporting service. Reporting a scam helps with work to protect people across the country - this can be done via scamwatch.scot

Their advice can be accessed between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday on 0808 164 6000 or via their webchat service at www.consumeradvice.scot.

Find out more
Citizens Advice website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/somethings-gone-wrong-with-a-purchase/
Advice on your consumer rights from Advice Direct Scotland: www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre
Advice on shopping online safely from the National Cyber Security Centre: www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/shopping-online-securely
Advice from Which?: www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-to-spot-a-fake-fraudulent-or-scam-website
Trading Standards Scotland: www.tsscot.co.uk/online-shopping
Get Safe Online: www.getsafeonline.org/onlinebuying